The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.

The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.

Important Reminder for Students Taking the CTA

May 30, 2014

Students can no longer reload magnetic stripe student fare cards starting June 1; students should get student Ventra card to continue to receive 75-cent discount fares on school days

The CTA is reminding students that as of June 1 they can no longer reload money on the light blue magnetic stripe CTA Student Reduced Fare Transit Card, as part of the CTA’s transition to the new Ventra fare payment system. In order to continue to receive discounted student fares on school days, the CTA strongly recommends that students contact their school administrator to get a student Ventra Card if they have not yet obtained one.

Students will be able to use any remaining balance left on their old magnetic stripe cards to ride CTA on school days until their funds run out. Students who do not have enough value on their student transit card on or after June 1 must obtain a student Ventra card to continue receiving discounted fares of 75 cents. Ventra student discount fare cards can only be obtained through their school. They cannot be purchased at any other location.

To assist students who still need to transition to Ventra, the CTA has been working closely with administrators at Chicago Public Schools to provide information to students, including an informational fact sheet that was provided with recent CPS student progress reports. Informational flyers are also available at all CTA rail stations. In addition, information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the CTA website at http://www.transitchicago.com/cpsfaq/.

The student Ventra Card is a contactless, reloadable card that will automatically deduct the reduced student fare of 75 cents between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session. Students can use this same card year round and the appropriate full or reduced fare, depending upon the student’s age, is deducted when school is not in session.

The student Ventra Card includes the convenience of online account management tools and balance protection for lost and stolen cards simply by registering the card. Student Ventra Cards can be registered online at ventrachicago.com or by phone at 877.NOW.VENTRA.